www.westernleader.co.nz
Thursday, January 6, 2011
We would like to wish all our customers
a happy and prosperous 2011
A year for change
By SUPERCITY MAYOR
LEN BROWN
Season's greetings, above: Mayor Len Brown wishes all of our readers a happy New Year.
Photo: OLIVER LI
Opportunity knocks, right: What does 2011 hold in store for Auckland's waterfront?
Photo: JOHN SELKIRK
HERE we are at the begin-
ning of a new year for Auck-
land -- one filled with possi-
bility and promise.
In 2010 we faced a year of
once-in-a-lifetime change.
We came together as a uni-
fied Auckland after years of
being held back by disjointed,
and frequently dysfunctional,
competing local bodies.
We remain a region of
many different communities,
each with its own strong and
proud identity. But we are
also unified in working
together to make sure Auck-
land achieves everything it is
capable of and becomes the
world's most liveable city.
An exciting year for Auck-
land lies ahead.
It will be a year of chal-
lenge and action for the new
Auckland Council -- we have
some important tasks ahead
of us, which will set the vision
and direction for our region
for years to come.
We have to develop Auck-
land's spatial plan, ensuring
the city has the best chance
to grow and develop in a way
that enhances our quality of
life rather than detracting
from it.
We have to develop a uni-
fied rating system that is fair
to all and transparent; we
have to really push the need
for our transport plans and
make sure we get some
action. In particular we need
to ensure Aucklanders' desire
to fix the rail system is heard.
We have to develop our
vision and plan for the water-
front, so that over the next
few years we work to make
the most of this stunning
natural asset.
We want to open it up for
Aucklanders to enjoy and cre-
ate economic opportunity
that works with our environ-
ment, not against it.
We will also be hosting
thousands of rugby fans from
all around the world in an
event they will never forget.
During the Rugby World
Cup they'll be judging us on
our transport, our hospitality
industry, the warmth and
genuineness of our welcome,
the way they are treated as
customers and guests.
Our performance, as a
council, as businesses, as
Aucklanders, will affect New
Zealand tourism for years to
come. We must get it right
and ensure all those rugby
fans return home singing the
praises of Auckland as a des-
tination.
I'm excited about the
challenges we are facing this
year and our ability -- as a
council, as businesses, as
Aucklanders -- to really grab
these opportunities.
I'd like to wish you all a
happy New Year, and invite
you to work with me, the
council and your local boards
to ensure this year we all
work together to make Auck-
land the world's most liveable
city.
Hear what
else mayor
Len Brown
has to say
online at www.western
leader.co.nz